The NHS in the North West has started vaccinating people against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), for the first time in its history.
RSV, a leading cause of infant mortality around the world, is a common cause of coughs and colds but can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, which are highly dangerous to older people and young children.
As part of winter preparations, the NHS in the North West will be vaccinating pregnant women and older adults, including those turning 75 on or after 1 September.
There will also be a one-off ‘catch-up’ offer for everyone aged 75 to 79 years old to ensure the older age group are protected as the winter months approach.
Staff from vaccination and maternity teams across the region have worked hard to offer vaccination services so that it is as easy as possible for pregnant women to get the life-saving jab at any point from 28 weeks into their pregnancy, alongside their maternity care.
Women should speak to their maternity service about receiving their vaccine from 28 weeks to at any point up to birth. Alternatively, pregnant women can get vaccinated by request at their local GP practice, while older adults will be invited by their local GP practice.
Research from the thousands of women across the world who have been vaccinated against RSV shows that it reduces the risk of severe lung infection by around 70% in the first six months of life, with NHS teams across the region gearing up to roll out the jabs all year round as of this week.
Having the vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect a baby from getting seriously ill with RSV, as the vaccine boosts the mother’s immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus to help protect the baby from the day they are born.
Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England North West, said: “I’m so pleased that we are now able to offer the first ever RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults at greatest risk – helping to protect the lives of those most vulnerable and ease pressures across the NHS as winter approaches.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you – and while RSV infections can occur all year round, cases usually peak in winter, so it’s important that those eligible take up the offer as soon as possible this autumn when offered by the NHS.
“Thank you to the NHS team who have worked incredibly hard to make this groundbreaking vaccination rollout possible.”
Michelle Waterfall, Deputy Chief Midwife at NHS England North West, said: “Vaccines in pregnancy are safe and effective and are a vital way to protect babies, women and families.
“This vaccine is one of four maternal vaccines offered to pregnant women. So, if you are pregnant, please speak to your midwife or maternity provider about getting the RSV vaccine as soon as possible from 28 weeks, as this will provide your baby with the greatest protection and it also means if your baby is born early, they will be protected.”
The RSV virus is a main cause of winter pressures in children’s hospitals every year, leading to increased pressure on paediatric intensive care units.
RSV cases in children have been increasing in the past couple of years, with an average of 146 young children in hospital each day at the peak in winter last year (w/e 3 December 2023), up 11% on the peak observed during the previous winter (132) from the same time in late November.
A recent study in the Lancet showed that in the North West the new programme could prevent 628 hospitalisations and 1,885 A&E attendances for infants – a critical, life-saving step forward to help front line staff prepare for increased winter pressures.
The same modelling suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme could prevent around 335 hospital admissions, 2,112 GP visits and 7,701 RSV illnesses in adults in the older age group.
The NHS is also kicking off vaccination programmes for other viruses which cause the most harm during winter, including flu and COVID-19, as the NHS sets out plans for protection of people who are at greatest risk ahead of winter.
Flu vaccinations will be offered to pregnant women and most children from this month, and will also be offered to others eligible alongside the COVID-19 vaccine from 3 October.
As advised by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the RSV vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and the USA. Many thousands of women have had the vaccine in other countries, including more than 100,000 women in the USA.
